Method and device for measuring bio-impedance data of a person

ABSTRACT

A method and a device for determining biological impedance data of a person, in which least one impedance value is measured with the use of at least two electrodes and is transmitted to an evaluation unit. In the area of at least one output device, information concerning the person is made available for assuming an optimum body posture for the measurement of the biological impedance.

The invention relates to a method for determining the biological impedance of a person, wherein at least one impedance value is measured by using at least two electrodes and is transmitted to an evaluation unit.

Moreover, the invention relates to a device for determining the biological impedance values of a person, wherein the device has at least two electrodes for measuring at least one biological impedance value and the electrodes are coupled for transmitting measurement values to an evaluation unit.

Such methods and devices are typically carried out with the use of so-called body composition analyzers (BCA). Such devices are frequently equipped with two pairs of electrodes on which the person to be measured stands. Moreover, two additional electrodes are frequently provided for each hand of the person.

When using such devices and carrying out the method, it has been found that the quality of the measurement values is substantially influenced by the concrete body posture of the person. In the case of unfavorable body posture, measurement values can occur which lead to incorrect or imprecise measurement values.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to improve a method of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that the measuring accuracy is increased.

In accordance with the invention, this object is met by making available, in the area of at least one output device, information concerning the person for assuming an optimum body posture for measuring the biological impedance.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a device of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that the carrying out of precise measurements is reinforced.

In accordance with the invention this object is met in that the evaluation unit is coupled to an output unit, wherein the output unit is configured for making available information concerning an optimum body posture of the person.

The use of an output unit for making available information concerning a body posture of the person to be measured, makes it possible to provide the person with information concerning the assuming of a body posture or for correcting an already assumed body posture.

This can be carried out, for example, visually in the area of a display, acoustically, or by optically marking of the body parts to be positioned.

A good capacity for observation of the information is facilitated by visually representing the information.

In particular, an optimization of the body posture is reinforced by carrying out at least a partial measurement of an actual body posture of the person.

A simple realization by means of technical devices is reinforced by determining the body posture of the person by means of a camera.

In accordance with another embodiment, it is also being considered to determine the body posture through a mechanical measuring device, particularly a tactile device. In addition, by mounting movement sensors and/or triangulation, the position of the hand electrodes in space can be determined (similar to de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii-Fernbedienung).

A further improvement of the measuring quality can be achieved by providing the information on the basis of a comparison of an actual body posture to a desired body posture.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial illustration of a hand grip of a body composition analyzer,

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a person who stands on a body composition analyzer,

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a visual display with indicators for a correction of the body posture,

FIG. 3B illustrates a display in accordance with FIG. 3A with an indication concerning an already corrected body posture,

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of another device in which the person to be measured has grasped two hand grips.

In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 1, a hand 1 of a person 2 to be measured is positioned in the area of a grip 3 of a device for determining biological impedance data. In the area of the grip 3, a plurality of electrodes 4, 5 are arranged. At least in the area of several of the electrodes 4, 5, illuminating displays 6 are arranged, for example, light emitting diodes.

The illuminating displays 6 can, for example, by means of a green or red color, signal a correct or an incorrect positioning of the hand 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the person standing on the device for measuring biological impedance data. The person 2 has grasped the grip 3 in the area of several electrodes 4, 5. In viewing direction in front of the person 2, a display 7 can be seen. The display 7 may be for example, a screen or LED.

In the area of a standing surface 8, electrodes 9, 10 for the feet 11, 12 of the person 2 are arranged. A scale 13 for determining the weight of the person 2 may be positioned in the area of the standing surface 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the grip 3 extends comparable to a railing in a semicircle. Moreover, the grip 3 is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal direction for reinforcing a positioning of the electrodes 4, 5 which is favorable for gripping.

Several pairs of electrodes 4, 5 may be arranged along the hand grip 3. In this connection each pair provides a position for the hands of the user. The correct body posture of the user can be obtained, for example, with the use of an electrical recognition of the respective pairs of electrodes contacting the person.

For example, it is possible in a first use by an assistant to determine a correct positioning for the hand of the person to be measured. This position can be stored, for example, in an electronic patient file. During the next use a comparison is made whether the respective user has once again contacted the electrodes in the position which is already known as being correct. A report back to the person to be measured or the assistant can be carried out, for example, in the area of hand grip 3 by illuminating green or red LED 6. When correctly positioned, the green LED would be controlled or when incorrectly positioned the red LED would be controlled.

FIG. 3A shows an indicator 7 constructed as a display with an illustration of a person 2 who has grasped the hand electrodes 14, 15. In the area of the indicator 7, correction displays 16, 17 are provided for the left and the right hand of the person 2. The correction displays 16, 17 may signal, for example, whether the respective hand should be raised or lowered to a greater extent, or whether the respective hand has to be positioned further to the left or to the right.

In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 3B, it is signaled that no correction of the hand position is required.

FIG. 4 shows another person that holds a hand electrode 14 in the right hand.

Considered in particular is the use of contactless measuring devices. An optical measurement can be carried out with the use of a camera or without the use of a camera. For example, light barriers, laser scanners or carrying out a triangulation can be used. Also generally usable are electric measuring methods, as well as capacitive measurements. Another measurement can be carried out with the use of ultrasound. 

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A method for determining biological impedance data of a person, comprising the steps of: measuring at least one impedance value using at least two electrodes; transmitting the measured value to an evaluation unit; and, in an area of at least one display device, making information available for the person for assuming an optimum body posture for measuring the biological impedance.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the information is depicted visually.
 20. The method according to claim 18, including at least a partial determination of an actual body posture of the person is carried out.
 21. The method according to claim 20, including recording the body posture of the person with a camera.
 22. The method according to claim 20, including recording the body posture with a mechanical measuring device.
 23. The method according to claim 20, including recording the body posture with an electrical and/or capacitive measuring device.
 24. The method according to claim 20, including recording the body posture with an ultrasound measuring device.
 25. The method according to claim 20, including recording the body posture with an optical measuring device.
 26. The method according to claim 20, including recording the body posture with a contactless measuring device.
 27. The method according to claim 18, including signaling information concerning a body posture by at least one illuminated display in an area of at least one of the electrodes.
 28. The method according to claim 18, wherein the information is issued on the basis of a comparison of an actual body posture with a desired body posture.
 29. A device for determining biological impedance data of a person, the device comprising: at least two electrodes for measuring at least one biological impedance value; an evaluation unit for transmitting measurement values, the electrodes being coupled to the evaluation unit; and an output device for making available information concerning an optimum body posture of the person, the evaluation unit being coupled to the output device.
 30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the output device is constructed for showing visual information.
 31. The device according to claim 29, further comprising at least one measuring device for determining an actual body posture of a person.
 32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the measuring device is a camera.
 33. The device according to claim 31, wherein the measuring device is a mechanical measuring device.
 34. The device according to claim 29, wherein the evaluation unit is operatively constructed to carry out a desired value/actual value comparison with respect to the body posture of the person. 